{
  "id": 9532740,
  "title": "Anwar warns AI could deepen rich-poor divide, calls for fairer digital economy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/anwar-warns-ai-could-deepen-rich-poor-divide-calls-for-fairer-digital",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-24T09:58:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/world/127647/anwar-warns-ai-could-deepen-rich-poor-divide-calls-for-fairer-digital-economy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cautioned that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) may exacerbate the disparity between wealthy and developing nations. Speaking at the Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) in Hangzhou, China, Anwar highlighted the risk of widening socioeconomic inequality due to unequal access to technology and geopolitical tensions reshaping the global digital economy. He emphasized that technological modernization should not compromise efforts to address growing inequality and unfair trade practices stemming from the digital divide and limited access to AI.\n\nAnwar stressed the necessity of maintaining an open global trading system while allowing countries to protect their national interests. He stressed that the integration of AI and digital trade, occurring amidst geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, should ultimately benefit humanity. Drawing on Chinese President Xi Jinping's emphasis on shared prosperity, Anwar urged smaller nations to remain steadfast in advocating for fairness, equity, and ethical standards, irrespective of competition among major powers.\n\nDuring his visit, Anwar pledged Malaysia's commitment to integrating AI across various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and education. However, he stressed that progress must be anchored in human values, with ethics and governance as the primary pillars. He warned that the benefits of technological advancements would be meaningless if concentrated among a select few countries, corporations, or elites. Anwar stressed that a robust and sustainable digital economy should enable all nations to participate, compete fairly, and contribute to broad-based economic prosperity.\n\nAdditionally, Anwar met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the West Lake State Guest House, where they discussed the strength of Malaysia-China relations. Anwar highlighted the trust that underpins their relationship, emphasizing the need for partners who value this friendship. Malaysia values China's role in technological advancement and cooperation with countries in the Global South. Li echoed Anwar's sentiments, affirming that closer coordination between China and Malaysia could foster regional development and stability, referencing Xi's earlier visit to Malaysia and the two countries' \"New Golden 50 Years\" of bilateral relations. The meeting occurred on the final day of Anwar's three-day working visit to China, accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.",
  "summary": "PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) risks widening the divide between wealthy and developing countries, as geopolitical tensions and unequal access to technology reshape the gl...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}